Imphal, July 06 2010: The Government of Manipur has given assurance to All Assam Manipuri Students' Union (ASMSU), All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and North East Manipuri Students' Organisation (NESO) that the stretch of the National Highway 53 from Imphal to Jiribam would be developed properly.

A joint delegation of these three student bodies and vice president of UCM yesterday met Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Works Minister K Ranjit, Government spokesperson N Biren, Agriculture Minister Loken at the Chief Minister's bungalow and submitted memorandum highlighting various issues.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the head office of AMSU here today, president of NEMSU Oinam Maniton informed that a delegation of Manipuri students residing outside Manipur arrived here on Friday last to take first hand account of the situation prevailing in the State.

Maniton said that in the meeting yesterday, a memorandum had been submitted to the Chief Minister.

The demands highlighted in the memorandum include improvement of present condition of National Highway 53, construction of a Manipuri Bhavan at Silchar and completing the construction work on the Manipuri Bhavan at Guwahati, introduction of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur, setting up of a cold storage and an oil depot at Jiribam, formulation of a cultural infrastructure development policy for the Manipuris residing outside the State, construction of a rest house for the truck drivers plying between Silchar and Lakhipur and extension of broad gauge railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.

Stating that the Chief Minister's response to these demands was positive, Maniton informed that the Chief Minister had assured that the National Highway stretch from Jiribam to Imphal would be developed by the Government of Manipur at any cost and necessary steps would be take up in connection with the other demands.

In connection with the proposal of taking over the responsibility of maintaining the National Highway stretch by the Government of Manipur from BRTF, the Chief Minister conveyed that the initiative has been taken up in view of the fact that there has been no improvement in the condition of the road in the last 30 to 40 years and development of the road can be monitored closely if it is brought within the jurisdiction of the State Government, Maniton said.

Maniton pointed out that since the existing condition of the National Highway stretch is single-lane, the State Government should ensure one way driveway.

For instance, if many vehicles have left from Imphal, not vehicles should allow to enter Imphal from Silchar or Jiribam and vice versa.